Child head and neck support

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a head and neck support for use with infant and toddler car seats is disclosed. 
     The head and neck support generally includes two strap covers and one detachable memory foam cushion/pillow in a half donut shape or rectangular with a concave center, which can be attached to the strap covers when the child is asleep or in a state of repose. The head and neck support provides comfort from side to side and forward slumping motion of the head when the child is asleep.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a user-friendly neck and head support for children in forward-facing car seats. Specifically to fit a car seat, stroller and the like to comfortably support the neck and head of a child against unwanted forward slumping and side to side motion.

2. Description of Related Art

Child car seats are designed to secure a child within a moving vehicle. These seats must accommodate children of various sizes as the child grows. Thus, these seats are not custom-fitted to accommodate each child. Car seats provide safety in the event of an accident or a sudden stop. Through the restraining straps that prevent the child from being ejected from the vehicle. What the car seat does not provide is a comfortable way for the child to rest his/her head while sleeping in the vehicle. This can cause muscle strain and pain on the child's neck and shoulders.

Several neck support systems have been implemented for use of children and adults while sleeping in automobiles and other means of transportation. These devices, though good, fail to fill most of the needs for this problem. Some devices are permanently attached to car seats, causing more trouble rather than solving the problem. Some offer protection from movement but are somewhat risky due to the fact that they require the units be disassembled from the car seat. Should an accident occur, the likelihood of injury or possibly death is high with such devices.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,893, issued to Zeigler discloses a support and restrain apparatus to support the head of the child encased in it. On FIG. 7, the apparatus is shown attached to the infant car seat. This invention does not solve the problem, furthermore, it hinders the child wearing it because aside from the obvious—having such apparatus semi-permanently attached to a car seat—the child's arm and head movements are severely restricted, thus causing more discomfort than good.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,351, issued to I've discloses an infant support pad with an adjustable pillow, which provides lateral stability of the infant's neck, shoulders, and head. The pad can be adjusted depending on the child's size. The problem with this is devise is that it does not address the support of forward movement and it is more commonly used for newborn children in rear-facing car seats. While addressing a common problem, I've also claims that the apparatus can be adjusted , depending the size of the child. Though this cushion can be adjusted, it does not offer support for older children who fall asleep in car seats, thus not providing any support at all.

U.S. Pat No. 6,758,526 B2, issued to Marbutt discloses that the child's headrest for car seats provides support against side to side and forward motion of the child's head. This system, aside from posing a suffocation hazard, does not allow for movement of the child. The confinement of a child while in a moving vehicle in such an apparatus would provide no benefits listed therein his Abstract. This apparatus poses the same discomfort and limitations of the child's movements, such as Zeigler's invention U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,893.

The Child Head and Neck Support is different from any prior and related art, in that it provides a comfortable, one size fits all head and neck support for children, with the capability of being easily attached to existing car seat straps or similar devices via fasteners.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a new and useful infant/child head and neck support device, which can be easily attached and detached for intended purpose of a neck support of a sleeping child while riding in a forward-facing car seat. When the foam pieces are positioned on the sleeping child, the units working together help keep the child's head from slumping forward or side to side. Thus alleviating muscle strain to the neck and shoulder area of the child and possible injury.

One of the advantages of the Child Head and Neck Support system is the ease of use. The units or foam pieces do not have to be permanently attached to the car seat. They can be stored beside the car seat when the child does not need them. When the child is asleep, the hook Velcro® connection on the UVL, nylon hook engageable fabric on foam case, makes it easy to assemble on to the strap covers which are made of the same UVL, nylon hook engageable fabric. The hook Velcro® is permanently affixed to the foam case, which allows easy assembly to the straps when needed. When attached, the invention provides support for the neck, head and shoulders.

Furthermore, another advantage to the Child Head and Neck Support is the fact that the foam used is a Polyol based memory foam. This adds to the comfort to the sleeping child because the shape of the molded foam and the memory foam itself will form to the child's contour of the chin and jaw line.

Yet another advantage tp this invention is the one size fits all foam. Again, due to the material in the foam, the Child Head and Neck Support will grow with the child.

Yet another advantage to this invention is the type of fabric used on the strap covers and case for foam. Because it is a hook Velcro® engageable material, the pillow can be adjusted up or down to accommodate the child as the child grows, depending of the size and height of the child wearing it.

Another advantage to the invention is the washable/interchangeable UVL, nylon hook engageable foam case. This is important because children tend to dribble and spit up while riding in automobiles, strollers, or any moving vehicle.

Yet another advantage to the invention is the ease of releasing/detaching the foam piece/pillow. Should there be a collision or any other emergency that requires the child to be taken out of the car quickly, the unit can be separated from the straps by simply pulling apart, thus eliminating the risk of trying to pull latches apart, etc.

Yet another advantage to the invention is the design of the attachment itself. Because the strap covers rest beside the child's chest and upper part of the neck, when the attached to the strap covers, the unit will rest slightly on the upper chest area while providing cushion to the lower face, jaw and chin of the child. The unit will not ride/slide back onto the throat area, thus eliminating the possibility of suffocation while in use.

Another advantage to the invention is the weight of the foam piece. Because memory foam is light, there is no strain on the child's chest.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for the purposes of illustration only and are not intended to the scope of the invention.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon closer view of the following figures and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view section of the left strap cover according to the invention, illustrating the position of the loop Velcro® used for attachment of straps covers to the car seat straps.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the section of the left strap cover according to the invention, illustrating the position of the hook Velcro® used for attachment of straps covers to the car seat straps.

FIG. 3 is a front view section of the right strap cover according to the invention illustrating the position of the Velcro® used for attachment of straps covers to the car seat straps.

FIG. 4 is a back view section of the right strap cover according to the invention, illustrating the position of the hook Velcro® used for attachment of straps covers to the car seat straps.

FIG. 5 is the front view of the Child Head and Neck Support according to the invention, the foam is in a UVL, nylon hook engageable fabric case.

FIG. 6 is the back view of the Child Head and Neck Support according to the invention foam, in a UVL, nylon hook engageable fabric case. The back view of the present invention has a strip of hook Velcro® sewn on the case.

FIG. 7 is the top view of the Child Head and Neck Support according to the invention, showing the foam case with the hook Velcro®.

FIG. 8 is the present invention fully assembled Child Head and Neck Support according to the invention on a child in a car seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referencing the drawings. FIG. 8 depicts the present invention fully assembled on A child. Note 1 left strap cover and 2 right strap cover on the B car seat, C straps above C existing harness. The 3 foam unit is attached to the 1 & 2 UVL, nylon hook engageable fabric strap covers. The present invention is made up of preferably 1 3 memory foam piece with a concave/half donut shaped form to cradle the A child's lower part of the face, chin and jaw. This 3 foam piece pillow is inserted in a 24 tight-fitting UVL, nylon hook engageable fabric case with strips 19 & 20 hook Velcro® sewn or glued on the backside used for attaching the 3 foam unit to the perspective 1 & 2 left and right strap covers on the B car seat safety harness. When the A child is in the B car seat and he/she is a state of repose, the 3 foam piece will attach to the 1 & 2 strap covers via the hook Velcro®. The UVL, nylon hook engage-able fabric on the 1 & 2 strap covers will enable the 19 foam pillow in a UVL, nylon hook engageable fabric case with the 20 hook Velcro® to position them accordingly depending on the child's size and or height. While the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. This invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that the this disclosure will thorough, complete and fully convey the scope of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art of which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure, the drawings and the claims. 

1. The present invention is a Child Head and Neck Support, which is made up of the following required elements: 1 memory foam piece, 1 case, usually UVL,nylon, hook engageable fabric for foam piece, 2 tri-fold, padded straps made of the same UVL, nylon, hook engageable fabric, 2 pieces of hook Velcro®. These elements are connected as follows: the UVL, nylon, hook engageable, padded strap covers are affixed to the right and left security straps of the car seat. The memory foam piece is encased in a tight-fitting UVL, hook engageable fabric with an opening for easy access of the foam. A strip of hook Velcro® is sewn on to the backside of the case; which connects to the perspective sides of the padded-tri-fold, UVL, nylon, hook engageable fabric strap covers. Furthermore, this invention can also have one or more of the following: 5 pieces consisting of 2 padded, UVL, nylon or other hook engageable fabric, one foam piece in either a rectangular shape, or half donut shape with a concave center to conform to the lower face, jaw line of the person wearing the unit, 1 tight-fitting UVL, nylon or other hook engageable fabric, with 2 pieces of hook Velcro® sewn on vertically on the back side of the case/foam cover. 2 strap covers made of the same UVL, nylon or other hook engageable fabric with padding sewn within the strap covers. The strap covers are affixed to the car seat straps above the existing car seat latch. The memory foam unit would be inserted into the UVL, nylon or other hook engageable fabric case. When the child is asleep, the units would be attached to the front of the strap covers via the hook Velcro® on the UVL, nylon or other hook engageable fabric case. It should further be noted that: this invention is made up of a washable or dry-clean fabric such as but not limited to cotton, nylon, polyester blend, plastic, inflatable, elastic, latex, animal skins such as lamb, or leather. There is 1 rectangular or half donut shaped foam piece, can be made out of preferably but not limited to memory foam, Visco foam,/polyol material, latex, rubber, polyfiber, petroleum based, air; gel, pelets, 2 UVL, nylon or other hook engageable fabric strap covers, 2 strips of hook Velcro®. The UVL, nylon or other hook engageable fabric case with foam is affixed to the strap covers via attachments, such as, but not limited to hook and loop, buttons, clips, snaps, ties, clasps, buckles, latches, preferably hook Velcro®. It should also ne noted that, in place of the UVL, nylon or other hook engageable fabric strap covers, a bib with loop Velcro® affixed to the upper right and left sides of the bib can used to attach the unit. A fabric or nylon or any fabric that lends itself, can be used around the neck with a the UVL, nylon or other hook engageable fabric at the ends can also be used to attach the pillow. 